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Post by CoureurDeBois on Jan 19, 2024 12:58:56 GMT -5
Don't get me wrong, that flintlock has seen it's share of the woods, and shooting matches since I've had it, which is going on 50 years now. It has a couple of scratches and nicks, but all are small, and barely seen. I owe it to the gun, and myself, not to take chances with it. I could never replace that stock, if I fell and broke it. I can still handle and fire the gun bringing back memories of past outing. With a replacement stock I could still fire it, but it wouldn't be the same feeling. So it will remain my walk in the park hunt smoke pole. I'm not about to take it on a hard hunt anymore, then again I don't do hard hunts anymore. Not that I don't want to but I know I no longer have the physical ability too. My strength, and balance at 77 isn't near what it was 10 years ago let alone 50. I now mostly carry a RMC 50 caliber, especially if I'm hunting the big woods or not a walk in the park hunt. The 50 still shoot center if I do my part, and is easier to carry. But I do miss carrying the 45 too.
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Post by moosemike on Jan 19, 2024 14:28:59 GMT -5
Do those custom flinters really go off instantly with no delay?
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Post by Loggy on Jan 19, 2024 14:56:19 GMT -5
It's all in the lock. A high quality/tuned lock such as a Siler has virtually no delay. I was totally amazed!! My Brad Emig built/tuned Pa Mountain Rifle has a large Siler lock. L&R locks are also pretty good. Had one on a TC PA Hunter Flintlock and after Brad Emig tuned it was almost as fast as my Siler. A Siler lock will run around $300 and L&R $275 last I checked. Both are top shelf.
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Post by moosemike on Jan 19, 2024 15:29:17 GMT -5
I've been told my flinch would go away with a custom flintlock because there is no delay
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Post by CoureurDeBois on Jan 19, 2024 15:50:53 GMT -5
Like Loggy said, there's a world of difference between a TC and a Siler or even a L&R. The L&R are what RMC use on their muzzleloader, which I own 2 of, a flint and a sidelock. Track of The Wolf sells a replacement for the Thompson Center, but it's out of stock at the moment. At the same time if you put to much power in the pan it's going to be slow. I use very little, you need to experiment with your gun, and I want it to be laying at the outer edge of the pan when I pull the trigger. I want a flash going through the flash hole , not a fuse. It was one of the first things I was taught when I shot competition. Mr Dixon, can't remember his first name, and I was discussion something one time at his place and the subject came up. He agreed, and commented that if you watch all the top shooters at matches standing on the firing line they will be holding their rifles sideways with the outer edge of the lock pointed toward the ground or turn it that way just before bringing it to their shoulder. You also need to continue looking through the sights until after the shot, just incase of a hang fire. There is no do over in competition or hunting. 🤣
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Post by CoureurDeBois on Jan 19, 2024 16:00:11 GMT -5
I've been told my flinch would go away with a custom flintlock because there is no delay Not sure about that. If you don't have a flinch shooting a cartridge gun it may/should help, but I suspect its the sound and flash at the pan that is causing your flinch. The only way I know of to get rid of it is with lots of firing. Try to keep your mind and concentration on sight alignment of target through it all.
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Post by Loggy on Jan 19, 2024 18:30:36 GMT -5
Many years ago in my early smokin years while BSin with Chuck Dixon in his shop about flinching....Chuck told me when squeezing the trigger keep the sight on the target "until you see the hole". Something I never forgot......follow through. A well tuned high quality lock makes this easy as you're likely talking milliseconds of delay.
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Post by acorn20 on Jan 19, 2024 19:33:53 GMT -5
There's a natural tendency to flinch when there's a flash that close to your face. Concentrate on the sight picture and your target and squeeze the trigger.
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Post by moosemike on Jan 19, 2024 19:35:47 GMT -5
I've been told my flinch would go away with a custom flintlock because there is no delay Not sure about that. If you don't have a flinch shooting a cartridge gun it may/should help, but I suspect its the sound and flash at the pan that is causing your flinch. The only way I know of to get rid of it is with lots of firing. Try to keep your mind and concentration on sight alignment of target through it all. I've tried everything I could find recommended on the web. If I go with less than half a pan of 4f I get unreliable ignition. I've done so much shooting in the living room with just pan powder in that I wore out my frizzen. It didn't help. I can aim at my TV and hold through the flash no problem. Once the barrel is loaded I always shoot way low because I flinch downward
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Post by ridgecommander on Jan 19, 2024 19:52:12 GMT -5
Once the barrel is loaded I always shoot way low because I flinch downward Do you take shooting sticks with you?
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Post by acorn20 on Jan 19, 2024 20:10:50 GMT -5
Here are a couple of my beauties. The first is a Keith Casteel, .54 caliber transitional rifle stocked in curly maple. It has both PA longrifle and German influence. This rifle is 41 years old and has been carried afield at least half of those years.
This rifle was made by Ed Wenger of Bealeton, Virginia in 2020. Last Summer he entered it in the Kempton Muzzleloading Gunmakers Faire competition and he cleaned up with a Best in Class, four first places and two seconds. It's a .62 caliber, Germanic hunting rifle stocked in curly, American Black Walnut with steel hardware. This was the first year I hunted with it and several individuals I ran into questioned the .62 caliber. I told them it's for big deer.
As Keith Casteel will tell you, "Life's too short to hunt with an ugly gun."
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Post by Loggy on Jan 19, 2024 20:24:12 GMT -5
Some fine "beauties" indeed Dan! Thanks for sharing!! Good continual Post Season conversation here sharing pointers, experiences, gun pics.... etc!!
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Post by moosemike on Jan 19, 2024 21:17:24 GMT -5
Once the barrel is loaded I always shoot way low because I flinch downward Do you take shooting sticks with you? I do. That's the only way I can hunt with a flintlock
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Post by ridgecommander on Jan 20, 2024 6:23:18 GMT -5
I do. That's the only way I can hunt with a flintlock Thats what helped me a lot. I put them way out at the end of the barrel as well. so that reduces my tendency to drop the front down at the shot.
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